Emirates Red Crescent hailed for Yemen aid efforts

Aden: Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, has praised the humanitarian efforts of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) to alleviate the hardships of vulnerable people and communities the world over, especially the brotherly Yemenis, who have been brought to immense suffering as a consequence of the actions of Al Houthi militias.

She stated that the ERC’s efforts in Yemen have become an exemplary model of humanitarian work — which she said has had an effective and rapid impact — while praising the organisation’s efficient field workers who are operating under a challenging and unsafe environment.

Al Hashemi noted that the constant follow-up of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and ERC Chairman, and his unwavering support of the ERC’s leadership and teams, in addition to the expertise and determination of the organisation’s staff, have contributed greatly to saving lives, easing the burden of the Yemeni people, and restoring a sense of social security.

During her visit to the interim Yemeni capital, Aden, yesterday, the minister observed that a number of projects were being implemented by the ERC besides its ‘Year of Zayed’ initiatives. She was briefed on plans for distribution of food aid and relief materials in Aden and neighbouring governorates such as Lahej, Abyan, Dhale and Taiz, as well as the province of Hodeida.

Al Hashemi was also briefed on the ERC’s completed projects, which saw the restoration of many vital sectors and services like health, education, sanitation, energy and the environment, besides the country’s infrastructure, including roads, ports and airports, in addition to the financial support provided to various governmental institutions and the building up of their capabilities, as in the safety and security spheres.

The minister praised the efforts to expand the capacity of Aden port, which is now able to absorb more commercial and humanitarian imports.

The minister said she was very impressed by the ERC’s field efforts, while expressing her appreciation for the role played by the authority’s teams on the ground, which she said are a source of pride for the UAE, along with its charity institutions, all of whom have spared no effort to support the ERC in its mission. She added that they have followed the path of the country’s wise leadership to support friendly countries and peoples and leave its mark in the field of humanitarian work, in line with the vision of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the continuity of which has been ensured by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan under the watchful eyes of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Al Hashemi affirmed that the UAE will not hesitate to extend any support needed to its Yemeni brothers so that the country enjoys security, stability and prosperity. She added that the UAE will work with regional and international partners to push for a political solution in Yemen and, until this goal is achieved, it will continue to provide Yemenis with humanitarian support.

The UAE has provided $465 million to support the United Nations Humanitarian Response Plan in Yemen for 2018, while total UAE assistance to Yemen from April 2015 to June 2018 amounts to more than Dh13.9 billion. The UAE has also implemented several projects in Yemen in partnership with international organisations such as the World Food Programme, the World Health Organisation, Unicef and the International Committee of the Red Cross. It also continues its permanent and effective coordination with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

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